I Love Ted Turner

Fonda, roasters in fine form at sold-out soiree
Proceeds will help curb teen pregnancy
By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/02/2006

The Georgia Aquarium's ballroom was draped in red Thursday night as Jane Fonda took to the hot seat to benefit Georgia's young women. "The Celebrity Roast of Jane Fonda" more than lived up to this year's theme: "Jane. Well Done." The sold-out fund-raiser for Fonda's Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention attracted 650 attendees and celebrity roasters Larry King, Outkast's Big Boi, playwright Eve Ensler, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Rosie O'Donnell, "Rush Hour" actor Chris Tucker, and Ted Turner, Fonda's ex and date for the soiree.

Escorted by her 'favorite ex-husband', Ted Turner, Jane Fonda proceeds down the red carpet during her celebrity roast fund-raiser.

Looking out at the packed ballroom, the evening's "master of flames" Larry King told the crowd: "There are more people here tonight than saw [Fonda's last film before a 15-year retirement] 'Stanley and Iris' in a year. The roast is here in Atlanta tonight not because it's where Jane lives but because it's halfway between Hanoi and Baghdad."

The guest of honor was led to a flame-licked throne on stage by two barechested young men in firefighter attire.

First up to roast the two-time Oscar winner? Her "favorite ex-husband," Ted Turner.

Reflecting on their meeting, Turner quipped: "She's beautiful, she's sexy and from the moment I met her, I knew we would be together. I gave up three mistresses for her."

Referring to his chapter in Fonda's memoir, "My Life So Far," Turner reasoned: "For me, tonight is more of a loving sautee instead of a roast. After all, I'm a businessman. She might turn that book into a movie."

Discussing their former status as one of the city's oddest couplings, Turner said: "I know what you're thinking -- I'm a good catch and I could have any woman I wanted. I'm kidding, of course."

At which point, Fonda cut Turner off by adding, "Oh yeah, right!" Appearing on video from the Virginia set of a movie she's shooting, Fonda's "Monster-in-Law" co-star Wanda Sykes lobbed a few jokes at the actress' expense.

"Jane's got a big heart with good intentions," she said. "If you want to really [tick] people off today, Jane, go sit on top of an Exxon station ... I know down there in Atlanta, you're trying to prevent teen girls from getting pregnant. So I'm telling you, inviting Larry King to your fund-raiser is really not the way to go!"

Reynolds and Big Boi honored Fonda with musical tributes. "The Vagina Monologues" playwright Ensler saluted a certain region of Fonda's anatomy. Surprise guest, actor and the honoree's brother, Peter Fonda turned up to sing to his older sister and to share some private family moments.

David Letterman sent a "Late Show" top ten video of "Top Ten Surprising Facts About Jane Fonda." Included were: "7) Real name: Jane Fondue, " "6) Melted down her two Academy Awards to make a bust of Pete Rose" and "2) Did 'Monster-in-Law' so she could work with legendary actress Jennifer Lopez."

In-coming "View" co-host Rosie O'Donnell described the impact Fonda's anti-war work activism had on her as a young girl. Her tribute briefly generated boos from the back of the ballroom. O'Donnell responded saying, "You're gonna boo the anti-war person at the Jane Fonda roast?! You're at the wrong gig, pal. Did we get your money yet?"

Serving as the evening's voice of reason and elder statesman, former President Jimmy Carter toasted the honoree by describing his initial conflicting feelings about her when his son was serving in Vietnam. Later in life, via his fishing buddy Turner, Carter found himself teaching Fonda the art of fly-fishing.

"I learned in that Playboy interview not to be completely frank," Carter quipped, admitting a slight crush on Fonda. "But to be somewhat honest, Jane is a beautiful and sexy woman. She's a great actress, a good flyfisherman, a wonderful philanthropist, a devout Christian and a champion of peace."

Praising Fonda's decade-long commitment to Georgia, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin told the assembled: "Jane came into Atlanta and realized that young people, young women needed help. She's had a tremendous impact, and we're eternally grateful, Jane."

When bidding temporarily stalled on a fishing trip to Argentina, Rosie O'Donnell turned up onstage with a whip during the live auction. Fisher also tried her hand as an auctioneer as Fonda told the crowd, "It's the best place in the whole wide world to fish and the fish are bigger than Carrie Fisher!"

O'Donnell bought the trip for $100,000 and dropped the f-word in front of former President Carter as she issued a challenge to the millionaires in the crowd.
"Here's how we raise $10 million for young girls tonight," she told the crowd. "I need 10 of you to stand up and bid $100,000 and we can raise a million dollars tonight. Let's pick it up, people!"
The honoree, dressed to sweat in a slinky red gown, told the crowd: "I'm having a wonderful time. I'm with my favorite ex-husband, my son and my daughter tonight. It's wonderful."
Closing out the four-hour and 20-minute salute, was the honoree herself, who dished out a few zingers of her own.

Discussing her three marriages and Reynolds' three trips to the altar (and with Turner sitting a few feet away) Fonda told Reynolds: "For me, it wasn't my husband's wandering eye that bothered me; it was his wandering [reproductive body part]. At least Eddie Fisher dumped you for Elizabeth Taylor. I got dumped for a 22-year-old from Buford. I think it says something that Rosie O'Donnell has the most successful marriage up here tonight."